I don’t remember the last time I attended a play at which everyone was laughing so loudly I couldn’t hear the dialogue… and I didn’t mind because I was laughing too.  That was the most unforgettable element of my visit to the Huntington Theater in Boston to see Jonathan Spector’s Eureka Day.  It was my first time experiencing one of their productions live after benefiting from their digital tickets to John Proctor is the Villain, The Heart Sellers, and Leopoldstadt among others.  The evening delivered the kind of communal experience I had anticipated based on the vibes that came through on the stream.

The play’s events take place during the 2018-19 school year at the type of Bay Area progressive educational institution whose website includes a weirdly specific drop-down menu of cultural identities.  Most of the plot revolves around the school’s board meetings overseen by consensus-enthusiast, Suzanne, and the easy-going Head of School, Don.  Equality and inclusion are cranked up so high that little is achieved beyond their customary reading of the mystic poet Rumi.  Their usual give-and-take is knocked askew by the arrival of a newcomer with a distinct perspective. They are then confronted with a different level of problem when some of the children come down with highly contagious mumps.  

I was living in San Francisco at that time and remember the outbreak of whooping cough that hit Marin that winter.  Notably, it was the year in which the now debunked study of a connection between MMR vaccines and autism risk was first published.  I know that vaccination has become a personal issue and that that there is nothing humorous about a sick child. But somehow Spector has found a way to serve up serious themes of medical disinformation and unproductive Zoom meetings with a spoonful of comedic sugar.  And though the script was written prior to the pandemic, given the current state of our Department of Health, Eureka Day’s arrival on stages couldn’t be more timely.

Under the direction of Margot Bordelon, the cast members — Japhet Balaban, Ken Cheeseman, Sasha Diamond, Nancy Lemenager and Eunice Woods — are impressively in tune with one another.  Often their body language screams loudly when their voices are modulated.  Most impressively, they remain committed and connected even when the audience is losing its collective mind.  I imagine that the detailed, unspoken backstories provided in the printed script were useful for their robust character development.  Luciana Stecconi’s classroom set is charmingly detailed with projections by John Horzen & UptownWorks fulfilling a pivotal role.  Lighting fixtures hang beyond the proscenium making us part of the action. Yet, while I admire the level of talent brought to bear, I admit being disappointed that most of this production’s actors are from New York rather than local.  

Eureka Day is a first-rate example of why I go to theater.  I shared a stimulating, funny and happily memorable evening and formed a bond with a group of pleasant strangers.  The run continues through June 28 at the Huntington Theater, 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston, MA.  Running time is 100 minutes without an intermission.  Note that due to the subject matter there is discussion about childhood illness and infant mortality.  Patrons are offered the opportunity to read the script beforehand.  Tickets are available at https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/whats-on/eureka-day/.  Prices range from $29.00 – $185.00, so be sure to check the discount code page to see if you qualify for any of the generous concessions.

Tagged: Cathy Hammer, Eunice Woods, Huntington Theater, Japhet Balaban, John Horzen, Jonathan Spector, Ken Cheeseman, Luciana Stecconi, Margot Bordelon, Nancy Lemenager, Sasha Diamond, UptownWorks